How to Listen to What Matters

by Belinda Munoz on April 27, 2012

This is the last day of the Five for Five challenge. Today’s topic is listening. Thanks so much for reading. Be sure to visit Momalom to read some gorgeous writing.

There is noise around me. Constantly.
It sits in the background, buzzing,
seeping into the cracks of quietude.
The chatter, off-rhythm cacophony, irritates me.
Most days, its decibel is tolerable.
Other days, it drowns out music
and other things I’d rather hear,
like laughter, ocean waves, birds, trees.

This — the state of persistent, annoying,
modern-day, 24/7, always-on media madness overload.

Universal mute button, how I wish!

Delete. Logoff. Shutdown. Unplug. Turn off.
So I can listen, by choice,
and pay attention to what matters.

++++++++++++++++++++Are you a good listener?
What makes a good listener?

I am with you. I was not born in the technology generation, so although I use email, social media, etc., I miss those simpler days when we used to talk to friends on the phone or just not sit in front of a device all day! I try and take technology-free days/weekends off when I can.

I trained once to be a rape hotline counselor, and that is when I truly learned what it took to be a good listener.